On
March 4, all 151 elementary and middle schools in the Formosa’s
(Taiwan) Chiayi County pledged that Friday meals would be without any
beef, pork, chicken, lamb or fish.

This health- and environment-promoting measure was led by Chiayi County Magistrate Zhang Hua-guan. Zhang Hua-guan – Chiayi County Magistrate (F): From now on, every Friday, we shall have healthy veg lunches. What does it mean to have healthy veg meals? It means that there is no meat, no beef, no chicken, no pork, no lamb. With this kind of meal, our students will be much healthier and livelier. Children assembled (M,F): Okay!

VOICE:
At the official starting event, County Magistrate Zhang and students
enjoyed a nutritious vegan lunch with soy protein and pumpkin-cabbage
soup. Also attending in support were the heads of Chiayi County
universities, high schools, and elementary schools.

Dr. Lin Jin-chao – Dean, Toko University (F): After this activity, I will make a report to our president to have the school join together with County Magistrate Zhang.

VOICE:
With the Formosan(Taiwanese) Environmental Protection Department
finding that eliminating meat is a simple, effective, and practical way
to reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, the central government is
now recommending that schools across the island make meat-free meals
available one day each week.

VOICE: Another aspect of this county-wide initiative is its encouragement of respect for life and care for the animals.

Dr.
Huang Gui-nan – Professor, Tatung Institute of Commerce and Technology
(M): The first consequence of being veg is less killing, and this is a
kind of ethical education.

Zhuang Ming-xun – Student, Jhu-Tsun Elementary School (M): We have to do something to protect the animals.

VOICE:
Our respectful accolades, Magistrate Zhang, Chiayi County and other
Formosan governments and schools! May this be the start of even greater
meat-eliminating actions to curb climate change, save the animals and
ensure a safe and healthful future for all children!